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1 – 10 of 11Paul O. Ukachi, Mathias Ekpu, Sunday C. Ikpeseni and Samuel O. Sada
The purpose of this study is to assess the performance of fuel blends containing ethanol and gasoline in spark ignition engines. The aim is to explore alternative fuels that can…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to assess the performance of fuel blends containing ethanol and gasoline in spark ignition engines. The aim is to explore alternative fuels that can enhance performance while minimizing or eliminating adverse environmental impacts, particularly in the context of limited fossil fuel availability and the need for sustainable alternatives.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used the Ricardo Wave software to evaluate the performance of fuel blends with varying ethanol content (represented as E0, E10, E25, E40, E55, E70, E85 and E100) in comparison to gasoline. The assessment involved different composition percentages and was conducted at various engine speeds (1,500, 3,000, 4,500 and 6,000 rpm). This methodology aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how different ethanol-gasoline blends perform under different conditions.
Findings
The study found that, across all fuel blends, the highest brake power (BP) and the highest brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) were observed at 6,000 rpm. Additionally, it was noted that the presence of ethanol in gasoline fuel blends has the potential to increase both the BP and BSFC. These findings suggest that ethanol can positively impact the performance of spark-ignition engines, highlighting its potential as an alternative fuel.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the ongoing efforts in the automotive industry to find sustainable alternative fuels. The use of Ricardo Wave software for performance assessment and the comprehensive exploration of various ethanol-gasoline blends at different engine speeds add to the originality of the study. The emphasis on the potential of ethanol to enhance engine performance provides valuable insights for motor vehicle manufacturers and researchers working on alternative fuel solutions.
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Taraprasad Mohapatra and Sudhansu Sekhar Mishra
The study aims to verify and establish the result of the most suitable optimization approach for higher performance and lower emission of a variable compression ratio (VCR) diesel…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to verify and establish the result of the most suitable optimization approach for higher performance and lower emission of a variable compression ratio (VCR) diesel engine. In this study, three types of test fuels are taken and tested in a variable compression ratio diesel engine (compression ignition). The fuels used are conventional diesel fuel, e-diesel (85% diesel-15% bioethanol) and nano-fuel (85% diesel-15% bioethanol-25 ppm Al2O3). The effect of bioethanol and nano-particles on performance, emission and cost-effectiveness is investigated at different load and compression ratios (CRs). The optimum performance and lower emission of the engine are evaluated and compared with other optimization methods.
Design/methodology/approach
The test engine is run by diesel, e-diesel (85% diesel-15% bioethanol) and nano-fuel (85% diesel-15% bioethanol-25 ppm Al2O3) in three different loadings (4 kg, 8 kg and 12 kg) and CR of 14, 16 and 18, respectively. The optimum value of energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, NOX emission and relative cost variation are determined against the input parameters using Taguchi-Grey method and confirmed by response surface methodology (RSM) technique.
Findings
Using Taguchi-Grey method, the maximum energy and exergy efficiency, minimum % relative cost variation and NOX emission are 24.64%, 59.52%, 0 and 184 ppm, respectively, at 4 kg load, 18 CR and fuel type of nano-fuel. Using RSM technique, maximum energy and exergy efficiency are 24.8% and 62.9%, and minimum NOX emission and % cost variation are 208.4 ppm and –6.5, respectively, at 5.2 kg load, 18 CR and nano-fuel. The RSM is suggested as the most appropriate technique for obtaining maximum energy and exergy efficiency, and minimum % relative cost; however, for lowest possible NOX emission, the Taguchi-Grey method is the most appropriate.
Originality/value
Waste rice straw is used to produce bioethanol. 4-E analysis, i.e. energy, exergy, emission and economic analysis, has been carried out, optimized and compared.
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Taraprasad Mohapatra, Sudhansu Sekhar Mishra, Mukesh Bathre and Sudhansu Sekhar Sahoo
The study aims to determine the the optimal value of output parameters of a variable compression ratio (CR) diesel engine are investigated at different loads, CR and fuel modes of…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to determine the the optimal value of output parameters of a variable compression ratio (CR) diesel engine are investigated at different loads, CR and fuel modes of operation experimentally. The output parameters of a variable compression ratio (CR) diesel engine are investigated at different loads, CR and fuel modes of operation experimentally. The performance parameters like brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and brake specific energy consumption (BSEC), whereas CO emission, HC emission, CO2 emission, NOx emission, exhaust gas temperature (EGT) and opacity are the emission parameters measured during the test. Tests are conducted for 2, 6 and 10 kg of load, 16.5 and 17.5 of CR.
Design/methodology/approach
In this investigation, the first engine was fueled with 100% diesel and 100% Calophyllum inophyllum oil in single-fuel mode. Then Calophyllum inophyllum oil with producer gas was fed to the engine. Calophyllum inophyllum oil offers lower BTE, CO and HC emissions, opacity and higher EGT, BSEC, CO2 emission and NOx emissions compared to diesel fuel in both fuel modes of operation observed. The performance optimization using the Taguchi approach is carried out to determine the optimal input parameters for maximum performance and minimum emissions for the test engine. The optimized value of the input parameters is then fed into the prediction techniques, such as the artificial neural network (ANN).
Findings
From multiple response optimization, the minimum emissions of 0.58% of CO, 42% of HC, 191 ppm NOx and maximum BTE of 21.56% for 16.5 CR, 10 kg load and dual fuel mode of operation are determined. Based on generated errors, the ANN is also ranked for precision. The proposed ANN model provides better prediction with minimum experimental data sets. The values of the R2 correlation coefficient are 1, 0.95552, 0.94367 and 0.97789 for training, validation, testing and all, respectively. The said biodiesel may be used as a substitute for conventional diesel fuel.
Originality/value
The blend of Calophyllum inophyllum oil-producer gas is used to run the diesel engine. Performance and emission analysis has been carried out, compared, optimized and validated.
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Ziming Zhou, Fengnian Zhao and David Hung
Higher energy conversion efficiency of internal combustion engine can be achieved with optimal control of unsteady in-cylinder flow fields inside a direct-injection (DI) engine…
Abstract
Purpose
Higher energy conversion efficiency of internal combustion engine can be achieved with optimal control of unsteady in-cylinder flow fields inside a direct-injection (DI) engine. However, it remains a daunting task to predict the nonlinear and transient in-cylinder flow motion because they are highly complex which change both in space and time. Recently, machine learning methods have demonstrated great promises to infer relatively simple temporal flow field development. This paper aims to feature a physics-guided machine learning approach to realize high accuracy and generalization prediction for complex swirl-induced flow field motions.
Design/methodology/approach
To achieve high-fidelity time-series prediction of unsteady engine flow fields, this work features an automated machine learning framework with the following objectives: (1) The spatiotemporal physical constraint of the flow field structure is transferred to machine learning structure. (2) The ML inputs and targets are efficiently designed that ensure high model convergence with limited sets of experiments. (3) The prediction results are optimized by ensemble learning mechanism within the automated machine learning framework.
Findings
The proposed data-driven framework is proven effective in different time periods and different extent of unsteadiness of the flow dynamics, and the predicted flow fields are highly similar to the target field under various complex flow patterns. Among the described framework designs, the utilization of spatial flow field structure is the featured improvement to the time-series flow field prediction process.
Originality/value
The proposed flow field prediction framework could be generalized to different crank angle periods, cycles and swirl ratio conditions, which could greatly promote real-time flow control and reduce experiments on in-cylinder flow field measurement and diagnostics.
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Sérgio Kannebley Júnior, Diogo de Prince and Daniel Quinaud Pedron da Silva
Brazil uses the dollar as a vehicle currency to invoice its exports. This fact produces a tendency toward equalizing the prices of products in dollars in the international market…
Abstract
Purpose
Brazil uses the dollar as a vehicle currency to invoice its exports. This fact produces a tendency toward equalizing the prices of products in dollars in the international market and reducing the ability of firms to practice pricing-to-market (PTM). This study aims to evaluate the hypothesis by estimating error correction models in panel data, obtaining estimates of PTM for 25 manufacturing products exported by Brazil between 2010 and 2020.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses the correlated common effect estimator proposed by Pesaran (2006) and Chudik and Pesaran (2015b) to estimate the PTM coefficients.
Findings
Results of this study indicate that exporters practice local-currency pricing stability for dollar prices. This study obtains that Brazilian exporters tend to stabilize their dollar price for exports, reducing heterogeneity between destination markets. The results are in agreement with the hypothesis of the prevalence of the coalescing effect of Goldberg and Tille (2008) and lower sensitivity of the markup adjustment to the specific market, as pointed out by Corsetti et al. (2018). The pricing of Brazilian exports in dollars reflects a profit maximization strategy that considers an international price system based on global demand for products.
Originality/value
In addition to analyzing the dollar role in the pricing of Brazilian exports through the triangular decomposition, this study also shows the importance of examining the cross-section dependence of errors, considering the heterogeneous cointegration in export pricing models and producing PTM estimates for short-term and long-term.
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Aishwarya Narang, Ravi Kumar, Amit Kumar Dhiman, Ravi Shankar Pandey and Pavan Kumar Sharma
This study describes a series of experiments investigating the upper hot layer temperature profile in a confined space under different ventilation conditions for…
Abstract
Purpose
This study describes a series of experiments investigating the upper hot layer temperature profile in a confined space under different ventilation conditions for porosity-controlled wood crib fires for pre-flashover conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
Full-scale compartment (4 m × 4 m × 4 m) experiments were carried out for four-door openings, i.e. 100%, 75%, 50% and 25% of the total vent area (2 m × 1 m) with the wood crib as a fuel load. The temperature of the upper hot smoke layers of the compartment was recorded with the help of four layers of thermocouples for varying vent areas.
Findings
The effect of ventilation on the properties, i.e. mass loss rate, enclosure temperature, heat release rate and carbon monoxide (CO) gas concentration, has been measured and analyzed. The effect of ventilation on heat flux and flame temperature has also been studied. Compartment gas temperature has been examined by five wood crib burning stages: Ignition, growth, steady burning, recess and collapse.
Originality/value
Findings demonstrate that the influence of vent openings varies for the burning parameters and upper layer temperature of the compartment. The current results are beneficial in analyzing thermal risks concerning compartment fire and fire safety engineering projects.
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Anshuman Kumar, Chandramani Upadhyay, Ram Subbiah and Dusanapudi Siva Nagaraju
This paper aims to investigate the influence of “BroncoCut-X” (copper core-ZnCu50 coating) electrode on the machining of Ti-3Al-2.5V in view of its extensive use in aerospace and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the influence of “BroncoCut-X” (copper core-ZnCu50 coating) electrode on the machining of Ti-3Al-2.5V in view of its extensive use in aerospace and medical applications. The machining parameters are selected as Spark-off Time (SToff), Spark-on Time (STon), Wire-speed (Sw), Wire-Tension (WT) and Servo-Voltage (Sv) to explore the machining outcomes. The response characteristics are measured in terms of material removal rate (MRR), average kerf width (KW) and average-surface roughness (SA).
Design/methodology/approach
Taguchi’s approach is used to design the experiment. The “AC Progress V2 high precision CNC-WEDM” is used to conduct the experiments with ϕ 0.25 mm diameter wire electrode. The machining performance characteristics are examined using main effect plots and analysis of variance. The grey-relation analysis and fuzzy interference system techniques have been developed to combine (called grey-fuzzy reasoning grade) the experimental response while Rao-Algorithm is used to calculate the optimal performance.
Findings
The hybrid optimization result is obtained as SToff = 50µs, STon = 105µs, Sw = 7 m/min, WT = 12N and Sv=20V. Additionally, the result is compared with the firefly algorithm and improved gray-wolf optimizer to check the efficacy of the intended approach. The confirmatory test has been further conducted to verify optimization results and recorded 8.14% overall machinability enhancement. Moreover, the scanning electron microscopy analysis further demonstrated effectiveness in the WEDMed surface with a maximum 4.32 µm recast layer.
Originality/value
The adopted methodology helped to attain the highest machinability level. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this work is the first investigation within the considered parametric range and adopted optimization technique for Ti-3Al-2.5V using the wire-electro discharge machining.
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Nivin Vincent and Franklin Robert John
This study aims to understand the current production scenario emphasizing the significance of green manufacturing in achieving economic and environmental sustainability goals to…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to understand the current production scenario emphasizing the significance of green manufacturing in achieving economic and environmental sustainability goals to fulfil future needs; to determine the viability of particular strategies and actions performed to increase the process efficiency of electrical discharge machining; and to uphold the values of sustainability in the nonconventional manufacturing sector and to identify future works in this regard.
Design/methodology/approach
A thorough analysis of numerous experimental studies and findings is conducted. This prominent nontraditional machining process’s potential machinability and sustainability challenges are discussed, along with the current research to alleviate them. The focus is placed on modifications to the dielectric fluid, choosing affordable substitutes and treating consumable tool electrodes.
Findings
Trans-esterified vegetable oils, which are biodegradable and can be used as a substitute for conventional dielectric fluids, provide pollution-free machining with enhanced surface finish and material removal rates. Modifying the dielectric fluid with specific nanomaterials could increase the machining rate and demonstrate a decrease in machining flaws such as micropores, globules and microcracks. Tool electrodes subjected to cryogenic treatment have shown reduced tool metal consumption and downtime for the setup.
Practical implications
The findings suggested eco-friendly machining techniques and optimized control settings that reduce energy consumption, lowering operating expenses and carbon footprints. Using eco-friendly dielectrics, including vegetable oils or biodegradable dielectric fluids, might lessen the adverse effects of the electrical discharge machine operations on the environment. Adopting sustainable practices might enhance a business’s reputation with the public, shareholders and clients because sustainability is becoming increasingly significant across various industries.
Originality/value
A detailed general review of green nontraditional electrical discharge machining process is provided, from high-quality indexed journals. The findings and results contemplated in this review paper can lead the research community to collectively apply it in sustainable techniques to enhance machinability and reduce environmental effects.
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Mohammad A. Hassanain and Zayed A. Albugami
Community centers play a socio-economic and urban role of combining different communal necessities, that serve inhabitants, at different neighborhoods in cities. Their role…
Abstract
Purpose
Community centers play a socio-economic and urban role of combining different communal necessities, that serve inhabitants, at different neighborhoods in cities. Their role emerged in importance as being a hub for improving and customizing quality of life experiences of the public. This research presents a code-based risk assessment tool for evaluating fire safety measures that can be adapted in the context of community centers. It also provides an exemplary case study to demonstrate its application.
Design/methodology/approach
The study identified the factors that render community centers as a high-risk type of facilities in fire events. Various fire codes and standards were reviewed to describe the relevant fire safety measures. A code-based fire risk assessment tool was developed and implemented, through a case study. A set of recommendations were developed to improve the fire safety conditions of the case study facility.
Findings
Several violations to fire safety were identified in the case study building. The findings led to identifying a set of recommendations to improve its fire safety conditions.
Practical implications
This research introduced a systematic approach to raise awareness about fire incidences and consequences in community centers, and provides facilities managers with a tool, to assess compliance based on international fire code requirements.
Originality/value
In fire events, community centers are considered as high-risk facilities that may lead to significant losses of human lives and damages to assets. It is significant to study the causes of fire, for ensuring effective prevention and safe operations.
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Emad S. Shafik, Nehad N. Rozik, Nadia F. Youssef and Salwa L. Abd-El-Messieh
The purpose of this study is to utilize two types of gypsum mold wastes from two different factories as novel and economical reinforcing fillers for composites that may be useful…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to utilize two types of gypsum mold wastes from two different factories as novel and economical reinforcing fillers for composites that may be useful for building materials and floors. Two types of gypsum mold wastes from two different factories as raw materials were incorporated into linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) aiming to get rid of that waste in one hand and obtaining useful economical composites suitable for building materials and floors.
Design/methodology/approach
Composites were prepared from two types of gypsum mold wastes substituted with different ratios from raw gypsum and LLDPE throughout the melt blending technique. The physico-mechanical and electrical investigations in addition to the morphology of the composites were included.
Findings
The mechanical results illustrate that substituting commercial gypsum with gypsum mold waste positively affects tensile strength, flexural strength and hardness shore D for the LLDPE composites. The tensile strength increased from 5 MPa for LLDPE filled with commercial gypsum as blank samples to 11.2 and 13.2 MPa for LLDPE filled with D and S waste. Also, electrical properties which include both permittivity ɛ′ and dielectric loss ɛ″ increased with increasing the waste content in the LLDPE matrix. In addition to the electrical conductivity values, σ lies in the order of insulation materials. Consequently, it is possible to produce materials with a gypsum matrix by adding industrial waste, improving the behavior of the traditional gypsum and enabling those composites to be applied in various construction applications as eco-friendly tiles.
Originality/value
This study aims to prepare eco-friendly composites based on LLDPE and waste gypsum mold to preserve resources for the coming generations, other than lowering the environmental footprint and saving the costs of getting rid of it.
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